The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-05-25
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.
The Pardon OF Amaker.
anderson Intelligcncer.)


The NepS and Courier criticises the ac-
ton of Governor Richardson in commu
ting the sentence of an O%rangCburg muir
dcrcr from death TO Imprisonment for life.
The jury recommended the prisoner to
mercy, the Judge recommended the com
mutation Of the sentence to a term of years
less than the life time of the prisoner, and
the Solicitor recommended the commute
ton. Every one, Therefore, officially con
ncCi2u with the case, who heard the trial,
Judge, jury, Solicitor, and prominent citi-
HcnS. recommended u communication. We
believe in II rigid enforcement of the law in
all cases, but it does strike us as a little un-
reasonable TO ~criticisc q Governor for com
mutinG Il sentence under these Circum.
stances. TO have refused, would have
been blOOdthirsty and inhuman on the
part OF the Governor. Human life. even
that of a criminal, should only bc taken in
extreme cases, and the Governor has been
given the committing and pardoning power
to correct those cases III which the penal
ties prescribed by law are too rigorous for
the circumstance OF the case, or in which
error IS made TO appear. All the officers
representing the state expressed the optl'
ion that the punishment was too severe Tor
the circumstances of the case, and the COY
crnor was right. we think, in committing
the death penalty to imprisonment for htc.
DGclsiiding Contemporary.
(~NcwDcrry Discovery
The NorS and CoUIiCr nOminatcs Hon.
| c. II. Simonton, of Charleston, judge Of
the United States District Court of South
Carolina, as the successor Of Associate JUS
ticc Woods, deceased, and urges, among
the reasons why the President should ap.
point him, that Judge Simonton has been
"a Democrat from his youth up"
JUjg" S:mouton is worthy of all the
praise our contemporary hcStows upon him.
and IS worthy and competent to fill the po
sition in the United States Supreme Court.
Indeed, South Carolina has no worthicr son
than Charles III. Simonton, and his appoint
mcnt would be gratifying to the people Of
the state.
All this is true, as every one knows who
knows Mr.. SimOnton, either personally or
10y reputation.
But it gricvcs us beyond measure to see
our esteemed contemporary come down
from It's lofty and unpaltiSan pinnacle of
civil service and advocate the appointments
Of q man because he is "a Democrat atall:
and 1t gliCvCS us most of all that it even
advocates one because he is not only "A
Democrat, but has been "a Democrat from
his youth up
We fear our contemporary la, fallen
from It's grand elevation down into the miro
~ N''' VI l'' AiH'''l l'IiAs'H 'tll'l4S III lNst
OF us poor S~pOilSmCn.
About thr Legislature.
~NNcwDcrry Herald ana News.
We think it would be 4 good idea for the
law 10 be 50 changed that the members Of
tho Legislature be elected for a term of
four years and have only one session every
two wears. We have too much legislation:
too much making and unmaking of laws.
Too much of our legislation is hurricdly
done, but To be undonc at the next session
of the Legislature. Tie Legislature should
meet only once in two years, and should
stay IL session until matters needing attcn
ton We're carefully and deliberately con.
Sidclct and acted upon, then there would
be very little, or ut least much less, need of
constantly amending and changing the laws
already made.
There is too much special legislation
legislation for localities or districts or
counties,
Has IpnlItIrS In II